Cole Middle School
Cole Middle School is located in East Greenwich, Rhode Island at 100 Cedar Avenue (2). This is a Public School under Superintendent Victor Mercurio and Principal Alexis Meyer (2). Students in grades 6 through 8 attend Cole Middle School before continuing on to East Greenwich High School or a private school of the student's desire. Grade 6 was recently added to the school in the 2011-2012 school year. There are a total of 590 students and 55 teachers. The majority of the students who attend Cole Middle School live in the town of East Greenwich. The school's population is about the same of the surrounding towns. The school offers standard opportunities and follows the Common Core Curriculum. The following is a report about the community that attends and is involved with Cole Middle School and the academic rigor and curriculum that is followed.
School Demographics and Geological Location
Cole Middle School located in the East Greenwich district has a total of 590 students, with about an even amount in each grade, 6 through 8. Out of the 590 students who attend, 51.5% are female and 44.1% are male. These are very comparable to the state's ratio of female to male. In addition, 86% of these students are white, 5% are Asian, 4% are Multiracial, 4% are Hispanic, and 1% are African American (3). This is about consistent with the percentages at East Greenwich High School and the surrounding elementary schools. In the town of East Greenwich, 94.7% are white and less than 5% of residents are of another race. East Greenwich proves to be one of the wealthier more affluent towns in the state with an average yearly income of nearly $170,000 for a household and $190,000 per family (3). The overall diversity of the school is limited, but this is because of the limited diversity of the town. Due to it being a small town, there is little opportunity for rich diversity and difference within the small population that attends Cole Middle School.
Student Achievement
The students at Cole Middle School have impressive achievement compared to the state of Rhode Island. Overall, Cole Middle School students prove to be proficient according to NECAP standards. In 6th grade reading, 96% of students are proficient compared to the state's lower score of 72%. 7th grade reading shows a similar pattern with 96% students proficient at Cole Middle and only 69% proficient for the state's middle schoolers. Similarly, in 8th grade reading 94% are proficient while only 74% are proficient in the entire state. According to SurveyWorks, students claim that technology is a large factor in their English education, which may improve scores. In 6th grade math, 87% are proficient while only 59% are proficient in the state (3). In 7th grade math 91% are proficient while, again, only 59% are proficient in the state. Finally, in 8th grade math 85% are proficient, while 57% are proficient in the state. Almost half of the 8th grade proficient math students at Cole Middle school are proficient with distinction, which is severely better than the rest of the state. This is similar for the grades below, but is significant because of the future of these students' math career in high school. It reflects their success upon leaving the middle school and preparedness for high school. The 8th grade students writing scores and science scores are also significantly higher than the rest of the states at 86% proficient and 76% proficient, respectively. The states proficiency is only 56% and 30%, respectively. In the NCLB program at Cole Middle School, out of the 12 students who were evaluated for the 2013-2014 school year all 12 were proficient in reading and mathematics (3). These are extremely important indicators to the success of the school's curriculum and teaching style. It also brings into question the school's demographics and their impact on the overall test proficiency scores.
Teaching
The teaching at Cole Middle School can be argued to be relatively successful if evaluation is based on NECAP scores, but this cannot be said with validity with out considering numerous factors. The teacher:student ratio is 1:16. The state's teacher:student ratio is 1:14. There is no significant difference between these two ratios. It is surprising that in a district that has a higher than average income, there isn't more profit and funds to reduce the ratio below the state's average. 30% of teachers and staff at Cole Middle School have a bachelor's degree, while 35.6% of the state's teachers have a bachelor's degree (1). 51.4% have their master's degree at Cole Middle School, while 49% of the state's teachers do. Less than 5% have an associate's degree or less at Cole Middle School and less than 15% of teachers at Cole Middle School have a post-master's degree or above (1). This data overall shows that Cole Middle School's teachers are proficient and acceptable to be enriching students, the contents of their knowledge are unknown and therefore, proficiency can only be based on degrees earned.
Family, Community, and Home Life
The family, community, and home lives of students who attend Cole Middle School are significantly better than the state's average. Students seem to be aware of the heavy involvement of their family and community in their education. Students in this community have very little diversity. This is reflected through the need for subsidized lunch. Only 7% of students at Cole Middle School qualify for subsidized lunch which is 40% less than the state's average (3). According to student surveys, the majority of students feel as though they are being well supported at home and within the community. Students believe that they are receiving ample support from their parents or guardians, and almost all of them believe that there is an adult within the school that is concerned about their well being.
Safe and Supportive Schools
Cole Middle School, according to student surveys and statistics, is a very safe and supportive school. There is a 97% attendance rate a CMS and only 5% chronic absenteeism. This is fairly low compared to the state's 15% chronic absenteeism. About 60% of students say that they feel safe in the hallways of their school, which is a lot higher than the state's percentage of 30% (3). These statistics are very similar when students leave the school. These numbers show how the students feel about their communities and how they feel about their overall safety in a place where they spend the most time. The majority of students at CMS feel that they are respected by teachers and staff and that they have a relatively good relationship with teachers. They feel close enough to their teachers and have trust in them. They feel as though they can talk about personal issues and school issues with someone other than a parent or guardian. Having a supportive school life and community can allow a child to ignore their perhaps troubled home life and do better and try harder in school. If a child knows they are supported and cared about, it is argued that they will do better in a school setting.
Funding and Resources
Students believe they have adequate resources for learning and having school experiences. They have considerably new textbooks, adequate gym equipment, and technology that works more often than not. According to SurveyWorks, the students feel as if the school is meeting their needs in terms of technology and materials. The school, not more than 5 years old, is clean and up to standard. Per pupil spending is lower than the state average at $14,187 (this is a total for all students in the EG School System). 59% of funding goes towards teaching, 16% to operations, 15% to instructional sport, and 6% to leadership (3). This school seems to have very sufficient funding, but the funding division leads to some questions. Where exactly does the money go? Overall, CMS has sufficient and adequate funding and resources.
Cole Middle School is an above average middle school that provides safety, adequate teaching, and outstanding academic achievement. Compared to most schools in Rhode Island, Cole stands out due to its exceptional NECAP scores as well as the overall happiness of the students who attend. Although not rich in diversity, the location and socioeconomic status of the average towns person brings into question what the most suitable environment is for a growing learner.
Cole Middle School
Cole Middle School is located in East Greenwich, Rhode Island at 100 Cedar Avenue (2). This is a Public School under Superintendent Victor Mercurio and Principal Alexis Meyer (2). Students in grades 6 through 8 attend Cole Middle School before continuing on to East Greenwich High School or a private school of the student's desire. Grade 6 was recently added to the school in the 2011-2012 school year. There are a total of 590 students and 55 teachers. The majority of the students who attend Cole Middle School live in the town of East Greenwich. The school's population is about the same of the surrounding towns. The school offers standard opportunities and follows the Common Core Curriculum. The following is a report about the community that attends and is involved with Cole Middle School and the academic rigor and curriculum that is followed.
School Demographics and Geological Location
Cole Middle School located in the East Greenwich district has a total of 590 students, with about an even amount in each grade, 6 through 8. Out of the 590 students who attend, 51.5% are female and 44.1% are male. These are very comparable to the state's ratio of female to male. In addition, 86% of these students are white, 5% are Asian, 4% are Multiracial, 4% are Hispanic, and 1% are African American (3). This is about consistent with the percentages at East Greenwich High School and the surrounding elementary schools. In the town of East Greenwich, 94.7% are white and less than 5% of residents are of another race. East Greenwich proves to be one of the wealthier more affluent towns in the state with an average yearly income of nearly $170,000 for a household and $190,000 per family (3). The overall diversity of the school is limited, but this is because of the limited diversity of the town. Due to it being a small town, there is little opportunity for rich diversity and difference within the small population that attends Cole Middle School.
Student Achievement
The students at Cole Middle School have impressive achievement compared to the state of Rhode Island. Overall, Cole Middle School students prove to be proficient according to NECAP standards. In 6th grade reading, 96% of students are proficient compared to the state's lower score of 72%. 7th grade reading shows a similar pattern with 96% students proficient at Cole Middle and only 69% proficient for the state's middle schoolers. Similarly, in 8th grade reading 94% are proficient while only 74% are proficient in the entire state. According to SurveyWorks, students claim that technology is a large factor in their English education, which may improve scores. In 6th grade math, 87% are proficient while only 59% are proficient in the state (3). In 7th grade math 91% are proficient while, again, only 59% are proficient in the state. Finally, in 8th grade math 85% are proficient, while 57% are proficient in the state. Almost half of the 8th grade proficient math students at Cole Middle school are proficient with distinction, which is severely better than the rest of the state. This is similar for the grades below, but is significant because of the future of these students' math career in high school. It reflects their success upon leaving the middle school and preparedness for high school. The 8th grade students writing scores and science scores are also significantly higher than the rest of the states at 86% proficient and 76% proficient, respectively. The states proficiency is only 56% and 30%, respectively. In the NCLB program at Cole Middle School, out of the 12 students who were evaluated for the 2013-2014 school year all 12 were proficient in reading and mathematics (3). These are extremely important indicators to the success of the school's curriculum and teaching style. It also brings into question the school's demographics and their impact on the overall test proficiency scores.Teaching
The teaching at Cole Middle School can be argued to be relatively successful if evaluation is based on NECAP scores, but this cannot be said with validity with out considering numerous factors. The teacher:student ratio is 1:16. The state's teacher:student ratio is 1:14. There is no significant difference between these two ratios. It is surprising that in a district that has a higher than average income, there isn't more profit and funds to reduce the ratio below the state's average. 30% of teachers and staff at Cole Middle School have a bachelor's degree, while 35.6% of the state's teachers have a bachelor's degree (1). 51.4% have their master's degree at Cole Middle School, while 49% of the state's teachers do. Less than 5% have an associate's degree or less at Cole Middle School and less than 15% of teachers at Cole Middle School have a post-master's degree or above (1). This data overall shows that Cole Middle School's teachers are proficient and acceptable to be enriching students, the contents of their knowledge are unknown and therefore, proficiency can only be based on degrees earned.Family, Community, and Home Life
The family, community, and home lives of students who attend Cole Middle School are significantly better than the state's average. Students seem to be aware of the heavy involvement of their family and community in their education. Students in this community have very little diversity. This is reflected through the need for subsidized lunch. Only 7% of students at Cole Middle School qualify for subsidized lunch which is 40% less than the state's average (3). According to student surveys, the majority of students feel as though they are being well supported at home and within the community. Students believe that they are receiving ample support from their parents or guardians, and almost all of them believe that there is an adult within the school that is concerned about their well being.Safe and Supportive Schools
Cole Middle School, according to student surveys and statistics, is a very safe and supportive school. There is a 97% attendance rate a CMS and only 5% chronic absenteeism. This is fairly low compared to the state's 15% chronic absenteeism. About 60% of students say that they feel safe in the hallways of their school, which is a lot higher than the state's percentage of 30% (3). These statistics are very similar when students leave the school. These numbers show how the students feel about their communities and how they feel about their overall safety in a place where they spend the most time. The majority of students at CMS feel that they are respected by teachers and staff and that they have a relatively good relationship with teachers. They feel close enough to their teachers and have trust in them. They feel as though they can talk about personal issues and school issues with someone other than a parent or guardian. Having a supportive school life and community can allow a child to ignore their perhaps troubled home life and do better and try harder in school. If a child knows they are supported and cared about, it is argued that they will do better in a school setting.Funding and Resources
Students believe they have adequate resources for learning and having school experiences. They have considerably new textbooks, adequate gym equipment, and technology that works more often than not. According to SurveyWorks, the students feel as if the school is meeting their needs in terms of technology and materials. The school, not more than 5 years old, is clean and up to standard. Per pupil spending is lower than the state average at $14,187 (this is a total for all students in the EG School System). 59% of funding goes towards teaching, 16% to operations, 15% to instructional sport, and 6% to leadership (3). This school seems to have very sufficient funding, but the funding division leads to some questions. Where exactly does the money go? Overall, CMS has sufficient and adequate funding and resources.Cole Middle School is an above average middle school that provides safety, adequate teaching, and outstanding academic achievement. Compared to most schools in Rhode Island, Cole stands out due to its exceptional NECAP scores as well as the overall happiness of the students who attend. Although not rich in diversity, the location and socioeconomic status of the average towns person brings into question what the most suitable environment is for a growing learner.
Sources:
(1) American FactFinder - Community Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved October 25, 2014. Retrieved from
http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/community_facts.xhtml.
(2) Archie R. Cole Middle School. (n.d.). Retrieved October 25, 2014. Retrieved from
http://www.egsd.net/middleschool.cfm.
(3) "Archie R. Cole Middle School." RIDE InfoWorks. Rhode Island Department of Education, 2014. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.